Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Medicine - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Objective: the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of serum level of vitamin D on the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes, chemical and clinical pregnancy rate in polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) females undergoing ICSI cycles. Materials and methods: this prospective cohort study in Cairo University hospital included 80 PCOS cases undergoing ICSI cycles in the age from 20-39 years using antagonist protocol. Cases with severe male or tubal factors were excluded. Serum 25 (OH) D vitamin level was assessed by ELISA method on the day of oocyte retrieval. Correlation and regression analyses were used in assessing the study outcomes Results: vitamin D was found to be correlated to both the number of retrieved and fertilized oocytes (r=0.35; 95%CI: 0.15, 0.53; P=0.001 and r=0.33; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.57; P=0.03 respectively). It was still significantly correlated to the number of oocytes (coefficient: 0.47; 95% CI: 0.1, 0.9; P=0.018) and to the number of fertilized eggs (coefficient: 0.3; 95% CI: 0.02, 0.58; P=0.03) after adjusting for age, BMI and type of ovulation triggering agent. This means with each 2 ng/mL increase in serum 25 (OH) D vitamin level; around one more egg will be retrieved. In addition, there will be one more additional fertilized oocyte with each 3 ng/mL increases in the vitamin level. However, there was no significant correlation between the vitamin level and the occurrence of chemical or clinical pregnancy, Conclusions: VD was positively correlated with the number of retrieved and number of fertilized oocytes in PCOS patients undergoing ICSI cycles. Further studies are needed for studying the effect of VD on other ICSI cycle parameters including pregnancy rate

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